Norfolk Southern is honoring its predecessor railroads during 2012, its 30th anniversary year, by painting 20 new locomotives in commemorative schemes that reflect the heritage of those predecessors.

Each paint scheme will be modified to fit contemporary locomotives while staying as true as possible to the original designs. Norfolk Southern employees in Altoona, Pa., and Chattanooga, Tenn., will paint GE ES44AC locomotives, while the EMD SD70ACe units will be painted at Progress Rail Services’ facility in Muncie, Ind. The heritage locomotives will be used to haul freight across Norfolk Southern’s 20,000-mile, 22-state network.

Southern Railway originated as the South Carolina Canal and Rail Road Company in 1827. It put into service the nation’s first regularly scheduled steam passenger service on Christmas Day, 1830, with the locomotive “The Best Friend of Charleston.” The Southern was incorporated in 1894 from the reorganization and consolidation of numerous predecessors and absorbed another 68 railroad companies over the next six years.

SOU / NS Heritage ES44AC #TBA

Factory painted Green/ Immitation Aluminum, lettered, lights, ditch lights

Model Details:

• Licensing: GE
• Model Painted: Yes
• DCC: DCC Plug N Play
• Model Lettering: Yes
• Directional Lighting: Yes
• Ditch Lights: Yes
• Motor Type: Pitmann
Couplers: Kadee #805